Volunteers plant trees for koalas with their bear hands

Koala Clancy president Janine Duffy, Tourism Australia's Bede Fennell.

A Victorian charity has planted 3600 trees in Balliang to help protect threatened koalas, birds and flying foxes, with another 4400 to be planted in coming weeks.

The Koala Clancy Foundation is an independent charity that advocates for the protection of koalas.

The group’s president Janine Duffy said the 8000 tree project is so big, it can be seen from the Geelong-Bacchus Marsh Road.

“The Grey Box woodlands of Balliang were once important to animals like koalas, Grey-headed Flying-foxes, Black Falcons and Barking Owls,” Ms Duffy said.

“Many of the animals that lived in or used the Grey Box forests are now endangered, so we are putting some of that ecosystem back.

“The project is restoring a huge 10 hectare area.”

Ms Duffy said the trees could be used by koalas and other animals in just “two to four years”.

The project was funded by the International Fund for Animal Welfare, and Greater Geelong council, through their environment sustainability grant program.

Ms Duffy also encouraged community members to attend the next planting on Sunday, July 24.

Details: www.koalaclancyfoundation.org.au/events/